Barbara Bedell: Snow doesn't stop St. Patrick's Parade

Those marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Manhattan last Saturday weren't dampened by the snow shower that seemed to last for most of the three-plus hours, but to folks at home watching the telecast, some of the uniformed marchers looked like frosted snowpeople.

Those marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Manhattan last Saturday weren't dampened by the snow shower that seemed to last for most of the three-plus hours, but to folks at home watching the telecast, some of the uniformed marchers looked like frosted snowpeople.

It's always a fun event. A highlight for members of Orange County's Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians was visiting with Enda Kenny, taoiseach-prime minister of Ireland.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 140 will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the American Legion Lodge on Wawayanda Avenue in Middletown, for an election of officers. President Charlie Czochanski will preside. Sam Hall, the VVA Eastern District director, will be in attendance, said Harry Nolte Jr., nominating committee chairman. Nolte can be reached at 342-4823.

A spaghetti dinner will be served from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at the High Falls Firehouse. Takeout will be available. Tickets are $9, $6 ages 5-12. All proceeds will benefit the Charles R. Haas Memorial Scholarship Fund.

A meatball and pasta dinner will be served from 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday at Union Church, 44 Balmville Road, Newburgh, as a benefit for the food pantry. Tickets are $10, $6 ages 6-12. Takeout is available. Also appreciated are nonperishable items for the food pantry. For information, call 562-0954 or visit newburghpresby.org.

Author Robert Harry Score will read from his book, "The Ghost Whistle," during the Historic Montgomery Association Meeting. It will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Montgomery Museum on Clinton Street in Montgomery. For information, call Joan Buck Smith, president, at 457-3457.

A lecture, "When Johnny Came Marching Home: Cornwall's Civil War Veterans in Blue and Gray," will be presented by Mel Johnson at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cornwall Public Library. The event is the eighth in the library's successful free Civil War Sesquicentennial Lecture Series. Registration is not required.

For information, call 534-8282.

An African drumming workshop with Kazi Oliver, a master drummer, will be given from 6-7 p.m. Friday at the Cornerstone, 111 Broadway in Newburgh. It's free, although freewill donations are appreciation to help with future programs, said Anne Miller. She is director of development for the Wellness Center at Independent Living, the sponsoring group.

To register, call 561-4061, ext. 266.

A discussion of Elizabeth Gilbert's book "Eat, Pray, Love" will be presented by Dr. Lynn Houston of SUNY Orange's English department, from 6:30-8 p.m. April 2 at the Middletown Thrall Library.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank D. Gilroy of Monroe has released a new Kindle single, "Anything for You." It can be read via the app on iPhone, Blackberry, iPad and Android by downloading Kindle for Mac or Kindle for PC on your laptop.

Cynthia Griffith-Bennett, daughter of Mary Gray and Tom Griffith of Goshen, has written her second book, "Soul Soothers: Mini Meditations for Busy Lives." It will be released this month from Findhorn Press and is available for $14.95. She'll be doing an East Coast book tour in May or June.

Copies are available through SpiritualSimplicityBooks.com or by contacting the author at P.O. Box 162, Skaneateles 13152, or at CindyTarot@me.com.

Dick Moomey of Ballston Spa, retired principal from the Monroe-Woodbury School District, has become a successful writer. His latest book, "The Boston Connection," the first in a trilogy, was released a few days ago. It is available at Amazon.com and Solstice Publishing.

Barbara Bedell's column appears daily. Reach her at 346-3125 or by email: bbedell@th-record.com.